Tractor involved in fatal Dartmoor accident believed to be stolen

Emergency workers at the scene of Tuesday’s Dartmoor accident in which a man was killed after the tractor he was driving was involved in a collision with a truck. Picture: BORDER WATCH

POLICE believe the tractor involved in a fatal collision at Dartmoor on Tuesday morning was stolen.

Investigating officer Sergeant Andrew Dunlop said investigations were ongoing but it appeared the tractor had been stolen.

The westbound tractor collided head-on with an eastbound B-double log truck on the Princes Highway about 100 metres from the Glenelg River bridge about 5.30am on Tuesday. Both vehicles burst into flames and the tractor was pushed back on to the bridge. The driver of the tractor, a South Australian man aged in his 20s, died at the scene.

The 55-year-old truck driver was taken to Mount Gambier hospital with serious injuries, but has since been discharged.

The driver of another truck following the truck involved in the collision was uninjured.

Sergeant Dunlop said there were rumours circulating the tractor was driving without operational lights switched on, but he said that was false.

“The tractor had lights and they were operational,” he said.

“At this stage it looks like the tractor has veered on to the wrong side of the road and collided with the truck. Investigations are ongoing and a report has been prepared for the coroner.”

The Princes Highway was closed all day while police pieced together the cause of the accident.